Worksheet -1

Topic: Engineering Methods and Statistical Thinking

1. Define Statistics. Give specific examples for statistical techniques

2. What do you mean by Variability and Source of Variability?
3. Define random variable
4. Write a short note on Dot diagram
5. Define Statistical inference
6. Define time-series plot and give its uses
7. Write three basic methods of collecting data
8. What do you mean by over control / Tampering?
9. ________________________ is the branch of statistics that make use
of control charts.
10. Explain the uses of control charts.
11. Write a note on Retrospective study
12. What are the limitations of Retrospective study?
13. Briefly explain Designed Experiments
14. Distinguish between Enumerative and Analytic study
15. Write down the steps methods involved in the engineering method to
formulate and to solve problem
16. Explain in detail Mechanistic model and Empirical model
17. Explain the terms – Primary data and secondary data
18. State the various methods of collecting primary data and comment on
their relative merits
19. What is a Questionnaire? What are the characteristics of a good
questionnaire
Collection of Data
 It is the fundamental basis for all statistical analysis

 Data collected are reliable and useful

 Precautions should be taken in obtaining the data

Let’s define …

 The Purpose of inquiry

 Scope of inquiry

 Sources of information

 Methods of collecting data

 The Purpose of inquiry

 Government bodies collect statistical data regarding population which may include many
information like number of males, females, literates, employees in government bodies or
private bodies, and those living in own house or rented house, etc.

 Scope of inquiry

 To assess the popularity of Tamil language as a medium of instruction in schools, the survey
should limit itself to Tamil Nadu area only

Sources of information

 The data collected by conducting a survey is called Primary data

Primary data collected are by Government bodies, Trade unions ,Reserve Bank , Chambers of
Commerce and Research organizations.

 The data used from other source is called

Secondary data

The census figures published by the Government of India will be primary data where as the same
data reproduced in another publication for some other purposes will come under the classification
of secondary data.

Sources of Secondary Data

 Publication of State and Central Governments, International bodies like UNESCO,UNO,WHO

etc.

 Publications of Research Organizations

 Publications by Trade associations, Chambers of commerce Bank, Stock Exchanges etc.

Collection of Primary Data

 Direct personal investigation

 Indirect oral investigation

  Information through correspondents

 By sending questionnaires by mail

 By sending schedules to be filled by enumerators

Classification and tabulation

The process of arranging the huge masses of data in a proper way is called classification

Classification may be defined as ”the processes of arranging or bringing together all the
enumerated individuals

All the items under separate heads or classes according to some common characteristics possessed
by them”

There are in general four types of classification

 Qualitative basis

 Quantitative basis

 Chronological basis

 Geographical basis

QUALITATIVE BASIS

If the statistical data collected are numerical facts about the qualities.
Likemale,female,employed,indian,foreigner

The classification of data is done according to these characters ,Example: data collected about
insured people can be classified according to life insurance, property insurance, accident insurance,
fire insurance this is qualitative classification

QUANTITATIVE BASIS

 The arrangement of statistical data according to numerical measurements such as

 Age,height,weight,amount of saving ,number of members in a family come under

quantitative classification.

 variable classification

 A variable may be a discrete or continuousvariable

 All values between two given valuesit is said to be continuous variable

Geographical classification

 Statistical data classified according to different areas Like states ,districts, towns, villages.
Come under the category of geographical classification

 Example:the production of fertilizer from different parts of the country comes under this
classification

Chronological classification: Statistical data arranged according to the time of occurrence

come under this classification
  Example: Production of the wheat from the year 1980 to 1985,sales of imported cars after
independence are classified chronologically

Tabulation

 Tabulation is defined as “the orderly or systematic presentation of numerical data in rows

and columns

 Characteristics of a good table.

1. A statistical table should contain a clear and precise title

2. When a number of tables are presented in the analysis of a statistical data ,serial numbers
should be given to the tables

3. Descriptions of columns ,rows,sub-columns,sub-rows,should well defined

4. Data which are comparable used should be given side by side

5. The table should be neat and attractive

6. The unit of measurement used should be clearly indicated these units are normally
mentioned at the top of the columns.

7. Column totals and rows totals should be shown

8. If the information given in the table is not self explanatory

9. If the data has several sub-classifiation it can be presented in more than one variable.

10. The data of preparation of the table and the source of information should be mentioned at
the bottom of the table.